A 47-year-old zookeeper at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka prefecture, western Japan, has been accused of stealing food intended for the animals under his care. The allegations surfaced after the zoo reported a series of unusual losses in its stock of fruits and vegetables, prompting a police investigation.

Caught in the act

The zookeeper, whose identity remains undisclosed, was caught on October 1 attempting to sneak out with food meant for the monkeys and chimpanzees. Authorities are still investigating to determine the motive behind his actions. For about a month before the arrest, zoo officials had noticed an abnormal decline in the food supply for the primates.

Kiyoshi Yasufuku, the zoo’s vice director, expressed deep regret, stating, “I cannot convey how sorry I am for the keeper’s actions.” The zoo also issued a public apology for “hurting people’s trust” and promised to take strict measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Tennoji Zoo, a popular attraction with more than 1,000 animals representing 170 species, has been in operation for over a century.

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Public reaction

The incident quickly drew attention online, with many sympathizing with the primates. One social media user remarked, “Poor monkeys. Even though commodity prices are rising, there are things a proper person should never do.”

According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s job search website, the average annual salary for Japanese zookeepers is around 3.6 million yen (US$24,000), compared to the national average of 4.6 million yen (US$31,000) reported by the National Tax Agency in 2023.

Past Controversy: Gender mix-up of a hippopotamus

This isn’t the first time Tennoji Zoo has made headlines. In April, the zoo revealed that it had mistakenly identified a 12-year-old female hippopotamus, Gen-chan, as male since her arrival from Mexico in 2017.

A DNA test was performed after keepers noticed that Gen-chan wasn’t displaying typical male hippo behavior. Customs documents at the time of her arrival incorrectly listed her as male. Tennoji Zoo remains committed to addressing both its recent controversies and restoring the public’s confidence.